A grandfather and his two young grandsons are dead after a massive tree, its roots loosened by relentless rains, crashed onto their home in Kisumu County on Thursday night. The tragic incident has left the community of Agoro Village in shock and highlighted the growing dangers of extreme weather in the region.

This heartbreaking event underscores a critical challenge for families across the Lake Victoria basin: the increasing threat from intense, unpredictable weather. According to residents, the ground was heavily saturated from continuous rainfall, which, combined with strong winds, created the fatal conditions that led to the tree's collapse.

A Community in Shock

Neighbours recounted hearing loud screams and a thunderous bang before rushing to the scene. They were met with a devastating sight as the family's house was crushed under the weight of the fallen tree. A frantic, hours-long rescue effort by the community ensued as they worked to clear debris and reach those trapped inside.

Two other family members were pulled from the wreckage with serious injuries and were rushed to a local hospital for treatment. The bodies of the man and his two grandsons were later recovered, casting a deep gloom over the close-knit community.

The incident comes as the Kenya Meteorological Department has forecast continued rainfall for the region, which is already grappling with the effects of a heavy rainy season. Key details of the incident include:

• Location: Agoro Village, Kajulu, Kisumu County.
• Fatalities: One adult male and his two grandsons.
• Injuries: Two hospitalized in critical condition.
• Cause: A tree uprooted by saturated soil and strong winds following intense rainfall.

Urgent Questions on Disaster Preparedness

While residents gathered to console the grieving family, many called on county authorities to provide assistance to those affected by the ongoing rains, which have caused widespread flooding and destruction. The tragedy raises urgent questions about local disaster readiness. Although Kisumu County has been developing a disaster response policy and has partnered with the UNDP on risk-mapping initiatives, this event shows the immediate, life-threatening gaps that remain.

As the people of Kajulu mourn, the focus now shifts to how both county and national governments will address the clear and present danger that extreme weather poses to vulnerable communities. The loss of three lives in such a manner is a painful reminder that for many Kenyans, the changing climate is not a distant threat, but a devastating reality at their doorstep.